So you’ve bought that plot of land or historic home in need of renovations, now what? For many, when the initial thrill of a property purchase fades and the work ahead looms, it can feel overwhelming. However, this part of the process can be painless with the right approach and expert guidance.
In the newly-released Connecticut Design Guide 2026, the editors of CTC&G sought input from leaders in the high-end construction industry. Here are their top tips for building a budget the right way and staying on-track.
1. “Make as many design decisions as possible before you start construction because, mid-stream, design changes are the number-one cause of schedule delays and cost overruns.”- Evan Cronly, Prutting + Co. Custom Builders
2. “The best way to control budgets is to have a qualified contractor who is good at estimating involved very early in the design process. Consistently checking in on how this budget may be changing along with design development is crucial.”- Scott Hobbs, Hobbs, Inc.
“Invest time in the decision-making process as it relates to finishes, function and design before you start construction. Usually, the first question a client will ask is, ‘When can we start?’ And I would certainly say this a half-baked approach. I always encourage clients to meet with the project team and discuss design decisions and finishes to the nth degree to allow the builder to build a comprehensive budget.”- Teymoor Tahbaz, Vulcan Development Group
“Prices are still going up. Labor is short-especially skilled tradespeople. Bring in a builder as a team partner early in the design process to guide you and avoid sticker shock.”- Chris Shea, Domus Constructors